Garment hanger



Sept. 12, 1939. A, s- T,l LAGAARD 2,172,587

GARMENT HANGER Filed March 10, 1937 Patented Sept. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GARMENT HANGER Application March 10,

11 Claims.

My invention relates to garment hangers and has for an object to provide a hanger which can be constructed largely from paper.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a hanger which may be readily collapsed into compact form.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a hanger having converging frame members and a cross bar connected therewith and in which the converging frame members are permanently and hingedly connected together.

Another object of the invention resides in slidably connecting the converging members to the cross bar.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the converging members with extensions hingedly connected thereto and in providing the cross bar with guides slidably supporting said extensions.

Another object of the invention resides in the specic construction in forming the hinge between the converging frame members.

A feature of the invention resides in the method of forming the extensions and the particular construction embodied in the extensions and in the cross bar supporting the same.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/ or described.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a garment hanger in extended position illustrating an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the garment hanger shown in Fig. 1 in collapsed position.

Fig. 3 is an elevational sectional View taken on line 3-3 oi Fig. 1 and drawn to a larger scale'.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line @-4 of Fig. 1 and drawn to a larger scale.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on line 5-5 of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the reinforcing member used with the invention.

Fig. '7 is a developed view of the blank from which the cross bar is constructed.

Fig. S is a developed View of the blank from which the converging frame members are constructed.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view through the cross bar of a modication of the invention.

My improved garment hanger comprises a frame A which consists of two converging frame members l5 and I6 and a cross frame member Il connected thereto. The two frame members I5 1937, Serial N0. 130,023

(Cl. 22S- 89) and I are constructed integral and are hingedly connected together at the middle and have attached to them at such locality a hook iS. The cross bar Il is slidably connected to the ends of the converging frame members I5 and l5. These parts will now be described in detail.

The cross bar Il is constructed from a blank I9 shown in Fig. 7 which is elongated in form and which is provided with two longitudinally extending scores 2l and 22, to provide a web 23 and two flanges 24 and 25 connected therewith. These parts are adapted to be folded in triangular form, as shown in Fig. 4, to provide a tubular structure having a channel 26 within the same.

Within the channel 26 of cross bar il is inserted a reinforcing member 2l, best shown in Fig. 6 which consists of a strip of wood triangularin form having a narrow upper surface Q8 and two lateral surfaces 2t meeting along an edge of the member. This reinforcing member fits snugly within the channel 26 and stiffens and reinforces the same. As will be noted, the reinforcing member 2l is considerably shorter than the length of the cross bar ll and when inserted medially of the ends thereof leaves the end portions of the channel 2E open, which have been indicated by the reference numeral 3| and which serve as guideways for slidably supporting the ends or" the converging frame members l5 and Il, as will be presently described in detail.

The twoanges 24 and 25 are secured together at intervals throughout their length by means of staples or wire stitches 32 which extend through both of the flanges and which are disposed immediately below the reinforcing member 2l.

The two converging frame members i5 and i6 are constructed from a single blank 33 formed of a strip of paper best shown in Fig. 8. This blank is scored transversely at its center with a transverse score 34 extending directly across the strip and with two diagonal scores 35 and 36 intersecting one another and the score 34 along the medial line .of the strip. The strip is further scored transversely near each end with two spaced parallel transverse scores 3l and 38 and two diagonal scores 39 meeting each other at the medial plane of the strip and intersecting the score 3l at the edges 4I and 42 of the strip. By means of the transverse scores the blank is divided to form the two frame members l5 and i6 and in addition thereto two' extensions thereof indicated by the reference numerals 4l. In additionk to the transverse scores the strip is provided with longitudinal scores M and @l5 which start at the center point of the strip'and which diverge along said strip terminating at the transverse score 31 in proximity to the edges 4I and 42 of the blank. In addition single longitudinal scores 46- are provided, which commence at the intersection of the scores 39 and run along the medial line of the strip to the ends thereof. The scores in both ends of the blank are identical and when the blank is folded along the longitudinal scores the frame members'.l I5 and I6 are formed with webs 4S and with flanges 49 depending therefrom. Similarly the extensions` 41 are formed with flanges 5I and 52 which are adapted to overlie one another when the blank is folded.

In conjunction with the frame A, hook I8 is utilized which is preferably constructed of wire bent to form a hook portion 52 and a clip 58 connected thereto. Issuing from'the hook portion 52 is a shank 53 which depends therefrom and which is bent back upon itself as shown in Fig. 3 to provide two spaced reaches 54 and 55 connected together at their lower ends by means of a connecting portion 55. Reach 55 is free at its end and is bent outwardly at 51. The various reaches form the clip 58 which is adapted to engage the frame A and to support the same.

The method of assembling the device is as follows: After the blank 33 has been Scored, the same is bent along the longitudinal scores 44 and 45 to cause the flanges 49 to depend from the web 48. At the same time the blank is bent along the scores 34, 35 and 3S forming salient angles at the scores 35 and 36 and reentrant angles at the scores 34. This permits of bringing the reaches 54 and 55 of the clip 58 into the angles formed at the scores 34 as shown in Fig. 3 to hold the said parts in overlying position. It will be noted that the connecting portion 55 of the hook I8 engages the edges 4I and 42 of the blank 33 at the score 34 and thus supports the hanger. The portion 51 of the clip 58 permits of readily applying the clip to the frame members and also permits of constructing the reach 55 normally sprung inwardly to frictionally hold the hook attached to the garment hanger. The blank 33 is next folded along the transverse scores 31, 38 and 39 and simultaneously along the scores 46 to bring the parts I and 52 of the extensions 41 into overlying position and in substantial alignment with one another, as shown in Fig. l. After the parts have been so formed, the blank I9 is similarly folded along the scores 2I and 22 and the said blank wrapped about the two extensions 41 and the reinforcing member 21. The two flanges 24 and 25 of this blank are next secured together by means of staples 32 which hold the parts in assembled position. It will be noted that due to the fact that the extensions 41 are folded along the medial lines thereof, the parts 5I and 52 spring apart and readily conform to the channel 26. The upper edges 4I and 42 of these extensions engage the web 23 of the cross bar I1 and are guided for sliding movement within the guides 3l formed in said channel.

The use of the invention is obvious. The garment hanger in its manufactured form appears as shown in Fig. 2, the hook I8 being detached from the frame and the two frame members I5 and I5 being disposed in substantial alignment and overlying the cross bar I1. When the device is desired for use, pressure is applied upon the ends of the two frame members I5 and I6 which causes the extensions 41 thereof to slide within the guides in the channel 26 and to move to the positions shown in Fig. 1. `Thereafter the 'hook I8 may be applied by inserting the clip 58 within the reentrant angles formed at the score lines 34 to embrace the portions of the frame members at such locality. The hanger is then ready for use.

If desired the cross bar I1 may be constructed as a closed tubular member without the use of staples as shown in Fig. 9. In this form of the invention, the cross bar is constructed from a blank 6I scored along longitudinal lines 62, 53 and 64 to form a web 65, two iianges 66 and 61 and a flap 68 connected with the flange 56. The

reinforcing member in this form of the invention is indicated by the reference numeral 69 and in assembling the device, the flap 68 is glued upon the flange 61 in the customary manner. With this form of the invention, the parts may be assembled after the tube has been formed, the reinforcing member being first inserted into the device at the center thereof. In such case the extensions of the converging frame members are constructed short enough so that when one of the extensions is completely within its guideway the other one falls short of the end of the cross bar and may be inserted into its guideway. When the two extensions are equally within the guideway the parts take the position as shown in Fig. 2. The use of this form of the invention is the same as that previously described.

The advantages of my invention are manifest. A broad supporting surface is provided for coats and other garments hung upon the converging frame members whereby wrinkling and injury to the garment is prevented. Trousers and similar articles may be hung on the cross bar and due to the particular shape thereofthese garments are readily held from slipping. At the same time, the cross bar is so constructed as to rigidly support garments and considerable weight may be placed upon the same. Due to the sliding of the extensions of the converging frame members, the entire frame may be collapsed and the hook removed to provide an extremely compact device, occupying a minimum amount of space. My invention can be constructed at a nominal cost and by machinery now available for the purpose.

Changes in the specific form 'of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A collapsible garment hanger comprising a frame including a pair of converging frame members constructed of a strip of paper doubled over to stiifen the same and folded at the center to provide a hinge between the frame members at their converging ends, said strip being further folded to form extensions of said frame members, hingedly connected thereto at their outer ends, a cross bar, and means at the ends of the cross bar for slidably supporting said extensions for movement from extended to collapsed position, said means engaging said extensions at both extended and collapsed positions of said frame members.

2. A garment hanger comprising a frame including a pair of converging frame members constructed of a strip of paper doubled over to stiffen the same and folded at the center to provide a hinge between the frame members at their converging ends, said strip being further folded to form extensions of said frame members, hingedly connected thereto at their outer ends, the strip at said extensions being doubled back upon itself, to provide overlying anges, and a cross bar having flattened tubular guides at the ends of the same for sldably supporting said extensions.

3. A garment hanger comprising a frame including a pair of converging frame members constructed of a strip of paper doubled over to stiffen the same and folded at the center to provide a hinge between the frame members at their converging ends, said strip being further folded to form extensions of said frame members, hingedly connected thereto at their outer ends, the strip at said extensions being doubled back upon itself to provide overlying anges, and a cross bar constructed from a flattened tube of paper having flattened tubular guides at the ends of the same for sldably supporting said extensions.

4. A garment hanger comprising a frame including a pair of converging frame members constructed of a strip of paper doubled over to stiffen the same and folded at the center to provide a hinge between the frame members at their converging ends, said strip being further folded to form extensions of said frame members, hingedly connected thereto at their outer ends, the strip at said extensions being doubled back upon itself to provide overlying flanges, and a cross bar constructed from a iiattened tube of paper and a reinforcing member within said tube falling short of the ends of the tube to provide tubular guides at the ends of the tube for sldably supporting said extensions.

5. A garment hanger comprising a frame including a pair of converging frame members constructed of a strip of paper doubled over to stiien the same and folded at the center to provide a hinge between the frame members at their converging ends, said strip being further folded to form extensions of said frame members, hingedly connected thereto at their outer ends, the strip at said extensions being doubled back upon itself with the line of fold outwardly to form overlying anges, and a cross bar constructed of a tube of paper triangular in cross section with its vertex lowermost and formed with guides adapted to sldably support said extensions, the flanges of said extensions spreading to bring the same into engagement with the lateral walls of the cross bar.

6. A garment hanger comprising a frame including a pair of converging frame members constructed of a strip of paper scored laterally substantially at the center to form a hinge between said members and scored longitudinally along lines intersecting substantially at the center of the strip and diverging to form in said members garment supporting sections with anges adapted to be bent downwardly therefrom, said strip being further scored transversely near the outer ends to form extensions of said frame members bendable into alignment when the frame members are in operative positions, said frame further including a cross bar, and means at the ends of said cross bar for sldably supporting said extensions.

7. A garment hanger comprising a frame including a pair of converging frame members constructed of a strip of paper scored laterally substantially at the center to form a hinge between said members and scored longitudinally along lines intersecting substantially at the center of the strip and diverging to form in said members garment supporting sections with flanges adapted to be bent downwardly therefrom, said strip being further scored transversely near the outer ends to form extensions of said frame members bendable into alignment when the frame members are in operative positions, said extensions being scored longitudinally along medial lines to provide flanges foldable into overlying position, said frame further including a cross bar, and flat tubular guides at the ends of the cross bar for sldably supporting the extensions.

8. A garment hanger comprising a frame including a pair of converging frame members constructed of a strip of paper scored laterally substantially at the center to form a hinge between said members and scored longitudinally along lines intersecting substantially at the center of the strip and diverging to form in said members garment supporting sections with flanges adapted to be bent downwardly therefrom, said strip being further provided with triangularly arranged transverse scores near the outer ends to formv extensions of said frame members bendable into alignment when the frame members are in operable position, said extensions being scored longitudinally along medial lines to provide flanges foldable into overlying position, said frame further including a cross bar, and means at the ends of the cross bar forming guides for sldably supporting said extensions.

9. A garment hanger comprising a frame including a cross bar and converging frame members connected thereto and constructed from a strip of paper scored transversely substantially at the center of the strip along a straight line, and bent longitudinally at the center to bring the scored portions of the strip into overlying position to form outwardly facing reentrant angles at such localities, and a support having two spaced reaches disposed within said angles and holding the parts in overlying position.

l0. A garment hanger comprising a frame including a cross bar and converging frame members connected thereto and constructed from a strip of paper scored transversely substantially at the center of the strip along a straight line, and bent longitudinally at the center to bring the scored portions of the strip into overlying position to form outwardly facing reentrant angles at such localities, and a support constructed from wire bent to provide two spaced reaches disposed within said angles and a connecting portion below said parts for holding the parts in overlying position.

11. A collapsible garment hanger comprising a frame including a pair of converging frame members constructed of paper doubled over to stiffen the same and folded at the center to. provide a hinge between the frame members at their converging ends, said strip being further folded to form extensions of said frame members, said extensions being hollow and being yieldingly expansible, a cross bar having sockets at the ends thereof for sldably receiving said extensions and guiding said side frame members for movement from extended to collapsed positions, said extensions engaging within said sockets at both extended and collapsed positions of said frame members.

ALEXANDER S. T. LAGAARD. 

